That Time I Needed Emergency Contraception as a Mother of Two in My 30s

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My husband and I are all about planning. We tied the knot young and had settled into our cozy home by our mid-20s. Following our checklist of adult milestones, we welcomed our two children into the world without much fuss. Thankfully, both pregnancies happened relatively quickly, with just one little bump along the way. I experienced issues with ovarian cysts, which led to the removal of one ovary during my first cesarean. Doctors advised me against hormonal birth control due to potential risks, leaving us with a couple of less-than-ideal options: condoms or the old pull-and-pray method.

During the gap between our two pregnancies, we relied on condoms. After our second child, we initially continued with them, but eventually drifted back to a mix of condoms and the occasional risky maneuver. We were still too young to consider permanent birth control, so we just dealt with the annoyances of contraception. That is, until a few weeks ago.

We enjoy hosting casual gatherings with friends, often filled with card games, pizza, and, let’s be honest, a bit of wine. At our latest get-together, I may have indulged a bit more than usual since we didn’t have to drive home. Let’s just say I ended up a little tipsy. After the kids were tucked in and our friends had left, a playful conversation about the possibility of a “third baby” took an unexpected turn. We bypassed caution, and, well, let’s just say things escalated quickly.

Before you judge me for making a hasty decision under the influence, let me clarify: we’ve been discussing a third child for a while now, but we never quite took the plunge. The thought of another baby has been lingering since we suffered a miscarriage last year with a baby we had planned for. We were still processing that loss, and the timing just didn’t feel right.

The next morning, I woke to a wicked hangover. I felt disoriented, replaying the previous night’s events in my mind. “Did we really go there?” I asked my husband, who had managed to keep his wits about him. “Yeah,” he replied, a mix of surprise and concern in his voice. “You were on board! But are you okay with this?” We fell into a thick silence, and I checked the calendar—my instincts told me that I might be in a bit of trouble.

It didn’t take long for the anxiety to set in. I knew I had to make a choice, and luckily, I was in a state where emergency contraception was easily accessible. I told my husband I wanted to get Plan B, and he agreed it was the right move. While we both longed for another child someday, we just weren’t prepared for it right now.

I dashed into the shower, pondering how to present myself while heading to the pharmacy for “the morning after” pill. Should I look casual or more put-together? Wedding rings on or off? I was overthinking it, of course. Had I done that the night before, I wouldn’t have found myself in this pickle.

A quick Google search gave me the reassurance I needed about Plan B. It’s essentially like a high-powered birth control pill that stops an egg from being released and prevents fertilization. Unlike what some may assume, it doesn’t cause abortion—it just prevents pregnancy. That eased my conscience a bit.

When I arrived at the pharmacy, I was relieved to find the emergency contraceptive right next to the condoms, just waiting for me to grab one off the shelf. The process felt refreshing, and I was thankful for the straightforwardness of it all. After picking up some baby wipes and frozen veggies to round out my shopping, I made a lighthearted joke at the register about needing my “special” item to be a separate purchase. The cashier was kind and kept the whole transaction discreet. With a sigh of relief, I left the store.

As I prepared to take the pill later, I hesitated. I reflected on our future and the desire for a third child, wondering if this was the push we needed. But I quickly reminded myself that the timing wasn’t right. I took a deep breath, downed the pill with some water, and felt a wave of relief wash over me. I knew I’d made the right decision.

Emergency contraception isn’t just for those who are irresponsible or in tough situations. Sometimes, mistakes happen—like that one night of too much wine or a missed birth control pill. I never thought I’d find myself in this position, and I feel fortunate to have acted quickly and avoid weeks of anxiety. This experience reinforced how crucial it is to have easy access to emergency contraception. Every woman deserves this safe and simple option to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. I’m grateful to live in a world where I have that choice.

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Summary

In this candid reflection, Jessica shares her experience of needing emergency contraception after a night of indulgence and a spontaneous decision about expanding her family. Despite a desire for another child, she realizes that the timing isn’t right. The article highlights the importance of having access to emergency contraceptives and emphasizes that mistakes can happen to anyone, regardless of their circumstances.